He was born June 10, 1932, in Conway, Mississippi, the fifth of twelve children born to the late Jessie Robert Allen and Annie Jemmison Murphy Allen. Murphy grew up working on both his family’s farm and multiple jobs to help support his family. On January 29, 1953, he married Billie Ruth Jenkins and was soon drafted into the U.S. Army. After being honorably discharged Murphy returned home to work for a local corporation. Over the next 4 years he and his wife, affectionately known as “Shorty”, had 2 sons, Mark and Van.
In 1961 Murphy decided to open a grocery store in Pearl, MS, eventually selling to a local chain. In 1967 he and his father-in-law, Billy Jenkins, opened a new store in Brandon, MS. As time passed Mr. Jenkins decided to retire and Murphy bought his share of the business. That business continues today after 59 years and is still run by family.
During his final days he remained at home and was cared for by his loving wife of 73 years and family.
In addition to his parents Murphy was preceded in death by his son, Van Allen; and siblings, Ray, Rudolph, John, Helen, Marie, Betty, Jane, Annie, Sara, and Faye.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Billie Ruth Jenkins Allen; son, Mark Allen (Connie); daughter-in-law, Julie Allen; sister, Mary Cooper Rankin; grandchildren, Brandon Allen (Carmen), Matthew Allen, Jake Allen (Allyson), and Constance Lyles (Dusty); great-grandchildren, Gabby, Wyatt, and Charley Allen, Lainey and Easton Lyles.
Visitation will be held from 2:00pm until 5:00pm, Sunday, June 7, 2026, at Baldwin-Lee Funeral Home in Pearl. Funeral services are 10:00am, Monday, June 8, 2026, at Grandview Baptist Church in Pearl with interment services to follow at 2:00pm in the Parkway Cemetery in Kosciusko, Mississippi.
“Heaven is rejoicing of the reunion of father and son. Dad and Van are together once again. The love of a parent and child cannot be denied, for our Father in Heaven has reunited them forevermore. Rejoice in their reunion for we will all arrive one day and find a new parent, Our Lord, with boundless love forever.” -Mark Allen
